Illicit Mate Read online

  She melted against him with a soft sigh.

  “Darrick?”

  At the sound of Casey’s voice, Jenna felt Darrick stiffen, then pull away from her.

  “Casey, I didn’t mean for this to happen,” he said.

  Jenna’s gaze jerked to Casey’s and her stomach knotted at the look of betrayal in her eyes as she stared at Darrick.

  Then Casey’s gaze shifted to Jenna and the haunting pain shimmering in the violet depths of her eyes froze Jenna to the spot.

  Guilt pulsed through her. All she’d thought about were her own needs. Never once had she truly considered how Casey felt. She’d come all this way to meet her soul-mate, unsure if Jenna would return her feelings, especially since she didn’t share her belief system about soul-mates, then Jenna had essentially told her there was no chance she would ever love her.

  Casey had been rejected by the one person she believed was meant to love her no matter what.

  In Jenna’s shock and fear at finding herself here, she hadn’t considered how painful that must have been for Casey.

  Now this. Discovering Jenna in someone else’s arms. In fact, a trusted friend of Casey’s.

  Casey’s hands tightened into fists and she strode across the room in silence, then disappeared into the bedroom.

  Jenna gazed at Darrick, her pulse pounding in her ears.

  “I’ll go talk to her,” he said, but she caught his arm as he stood up.

  “No, I think I should do it.”

  She stood and strode to the bedroom door before she lost her nerve. When she stepped into the bedroom, Casey stood at the window staring out at the blackness of space.

  “Casey, please don’t blame Darrick. It was all my fault.”

  Casey turned. Her expression was guarded.

  “Jenna, this isn’t about blame. I know that you have found yourself in a difficult situation. You’re overwhelmed, feeling that you’ve been stripped of the ability to master your own destiny. I understand that you are grasping for something to put you back in control of your life. I also know what Darrick has been struggling with.”

  Jenna shook her head. “No. It’s not as simple as that. I’m sorry, I know this isn’t what you want to hear, but what I feel for Darrick is real. As soon as I saw him, I felt a powerful longing. Even the short time we spent together this evening… I know that I’m in love with him. And I’m sure that he’s in love with me, too.”

  Jenna bit her lip, her heart weighing heavy in her chest.

  “I don’t mean to hurt you,” she continued, “but something’s gone very wrong here, because it’s clear to me that I’m meant to be with Darrick. You believe in soul-mates. You must understand that this is beyond my control. And it’s beyond his, too.”

  Casey’s heart ached at Jenna’s words. The thought that Jenna couldn’t even conceive of loving Casey hurt more than she could bear.

  But Casey knew that what Jenna said was possible. Darrick knew it, too, but he was in deep denial. Because of his loyalty to her, Darrick would have fought the blinding need gripping him to be with Jenna. But how could he stand up to so great a force when it was clear Jenna wanted him in return?

  It was a testament to his loyalty to Casey that she’d only found them kissing. With a willing tanash’ae in his arms, it would be nearly impossible to resist the impulse to consummate their love.

  But Casey felt that same need. A need strong enough to pull her from Darrick’s arms in the first place.

  So far, she had held back, determined to give Jenna all the time she needed to come to terms with their relationship. She’d been almost timid when it came to Jenna, which was not typical of Casey. But her uncertainty at being paired with a human female who seemed to be romantically interested only in men had thrown her off balance.

  Now she knew she had to take charge. Neither Jenna nor Darrick had the proper perspective about this relationship.

  She strode toward Jenna.

  “You say you felt a powerful longing for Darrick. What you keep ignoring is that you and I have a powerful link, too. I know you feel it, but you keep denying it.”

  Jenna’s beautiful blue eyes widened as Casey gripped her wrist. As soon as she touched Jenna, a need beyond reason gripped Casey, making her ache inside. This should be the most wonderful feeling in the universe, but the flood of loving energy was tainted with uncertainty and intense feelings of rejection.

  But still she held on.

  Jenna began to tremble. Her barriers had deflected the first blast of need, at least a little, but as Casey continued to hold her wrist in a tight grip, her defenses started to crumble and raw emotion ravaged her. Her heart pounded in her chest and she felt dizzy.

  She grasped Casey’s other arm for support and suddenly found herself staring into Casey’s confident violet eyes.

  Oh, God, she was filled with an overpowering urge to lean forward and brush her lips against Casey’s.

  “Good. You feel it now.”

  “No, I—”

  Casey pulled Jenna against her body, her arm tight around her waist. Their breasts crushed together and she could feel the beat of Casey’s heart. Jenna could barely breathe.

  “Jenna, you want Darrick, but you can’t deny you have the same feelings for me. It may confuse you, but we need to figure this out.”

  Jenna’s pulse raced as the reality of what Casey said seeped into her.

  Finally, Casey eased away, allowing Jenna to suck in a breath, but still keeping a grip on her wrist.

  “And we need to figure it out together. The three of us.”

  Chapter 8

  Jenna followed Casey back into the living room.

  Darrick stood up when he saw them. Jenna’s heart went out to him at the forlorn expression on his face.

  “Casey, I—”

  “Darrick, stop. I know you’re sorry,” Casey said. “My question is are you willing to make it up to me?”

  “Of course, I’ll do whatever you want.”

  Casey nodded. “Good. Since Jenna wants to be with you… I want you to make love with her.”

  Shock surged through Jenna.

  “What?” Darrick’s eyes widened as he stared at Casey in confusion.

  “How can I expect Jenna to accept my belief that she and I are tanash’aei if I won’t even listen to her concerns? It’s important that tanash’aei respect each other. If the attraction between you is as strong as she says, then it’s possible—”

  “No, it’s not,” Darrick said, his back rigid and his jaw tight.

  Jenna glanced from Darrick to Casey. Did Casey actually believe her?

  “We’ll only know by taking this step. And Jenna deserves that consideration. From both of us.”

  “If she and I are together, she might convince herself that I’m her tanash’ae,” Darrick argued, “simply because she can’t accept that she’s bonded to you.”

  “That’s why I’m going to be there, too.”

  “What?” Jenna’s gaze jerked to Casey. “You want me to be with both of you?”

  “Jenna, I won’t do anything you don’t want me to do,” Casey said, and Jenna could see the sincerity in her eyes. “If you want, we can just share Darrick while he makes love to both of us.”

  Jenna’s gaze bounced to Darrick.

  The thought of Darrick undressing her, of his lips caressing her neck sent shivers through Jenna. Her vagina clenched as she imagined his thick cock, rigid and ready, brushing against her folds, then pressing forward until he slid inside her. Pushing deeper and deeper until it filled her.

  Jenna could barely think straight with Casey standing so close, Casey’s fingers still wrapped around her wrist.

  Casey drew her forward, stepping toward Darrick. She rested her hand on Darrick’s arm.

  “You said you’d support me in whatever way I need,” Casey said. “This is what I need.”

  Darrick’s head was spinning being this close to Casey, the woman he loved. And Jenna, who had this inexplicable effect on
him.

  The need inside him burned too hot. He couldn’t resist it.

  He tugged Casey into his arms, finding her lips and thrusting his tongue between them. Her full, round breasts pressing tight against him made his cock surge to life. He glided his fingers through her long, silky hair as her tongue stroked his with the same passion he remembered.

  Gattra, losing her had been like having a part of his soul carved away. Having her in his arms like this, even just briefly, helped him feel whole again.

  Of course, he couldn’t deny her. Especially since it meant he would be with her again, too.

  “If this is what you want,” he said, “Then of course I’ll do it.”

  Jenna’s heart raced as Darrick turned to her. When he’d kissed Casey with such passion, uncertainty filled her. She’d been so sure that she and Darrick had a deep bond. That they were soul-mates. But she could see that Casey and Darrick loved each other.

  But if that was true, why did Casey say Jenna was her soul-mate?

  Now Darrick’s gaze locked on her and the heat in those amber depths flashing with silver stardust made her insides melt.

  He was going to make love to her. She began to tremble in anticipation.

  He moved closer and smiled as his fingers brushed her cheek. Excitement crackled through her.

  “Now, my sweet Jenna, it’s time to give in to our need.”

  His lips brushed her cheek in a gentle caress and she sucked in a breath as tingles danced along her spine. Then his mouth found hers and his tongue swept inside. She met it with hers, and they coiled together.

  He cupped her head, his fingers threading through her hair and he plunged deeper. She slid her arms around his neck, conscious of every inch of his body pressed the length of hers. Her breasts swelled, the nipples hardening. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her even tighter.

  When he finally released her, she was panting for breath.

  He took her hand and led her into the bedroom. Casey followed them.

  He pulled her into another kiss and she melted against his hard, muscular body. His hand glided down her back as he unzipped her dress. She stepped back and let it fall to the ground, her insides trembling at the warmth in his gaze as he took in the sight of her in her sapphire blue bra and panties edged with black lace.

  Her breasts ached with the need to be in the warmth of his hands. She wanted to strip off the bra and toss it aside.

  But Casey was sitting on a chair right by the bed watching them. Jenna’s gaze flickered to her. She felt awkward and a little shy about getting naked in front of the other woman.

  God, how was she ever going to have sex with Darrick in front of Casey, especially after seeing that Darrick and Casey had such strong feelings for each other? Her cheeks flushed as she realized that part of this would include Casey getting naked and… She wasn’t sure where things would go.

  But with the need swelling through her, she knew she couldn’t stop.

  “Jenna, are you sure you want to do this?” Darrick asked.

  Her gaze dropped to his pants and the huge bulge forming there. He wanted her. That was clear. She was also sure he’d stop this right now if she told him to.

  She nodded, but seemed incapable of moving.

  “Jenna, what if Darrick undresses first?” Casey suggested.

  Casey was still in her uniform, not moving to take it off. Jenna realized Casey was being careful not to move too fast because she didn’t want to make Jenna uncomfortable.

  Darrick unfastened the buttons on his uniform jacket, then slipped it off and tossed it onto an empty chair. When he started releasing the buttons of his shirt, Jenna’s gaze locked on the broad, sculpted chest being revealed as the fabric parted.

  She watched his rippling muscles as he dropped his shirt to the ground. His skin was like burnished bronze and his arms were thick and bulging. His chest narrowed to a slim waist, accentuating his tight abs.

  When he unfastened the button on his pants, her pulse raced. She licked her lips as he pulled down the zipper. He pushed his pants to the floor, but still wore his snug boxers, showing the outline of his mammoth cock.

  Her eyes widened. It couldn’t really be that big.

  “I think you have her full attention.” Casey smiled, a gleam in her eye.

  Jenna walked toward him, mesmerized by the growing bulge pushing at the thin fabric of his boxers. She stopped in front of him, then bit her lip.

  Darrick took her hand and pressed it to his lips.

  “Sweetheart, you can touch me if you like. Anywhere you want.”

  She drew in a deep breath, then rested her hand on his hard, tight stomach. She chewed her lower lip as she glided her hand downward. As her fingertips slid over the large contour of his tip, her breath caught at the hot, steel-hard feel of him.

  She stroked his length, her heart racing.

  She wanted to see it. All of it. But she couldn’t bring herself to peel away the fabric. Finally, Casey stepped behind Darrick and curled her arms around his waist and slid her thumbs under the elastic waistband. Jenna watched, wide-eyed as Casey pulled down the boxers. Darrick’s cock sprang upward, curving toward the ceiling.

  It was even bigger than she’d imagined. Tall and proud. And so thick she wasn’t sure she could wrap her hand around it.

  “I think she’s a little intimidated,” Casey said.

  Jenna glanced at her. “I’ve never seen something so…”

  “Magnificent?” Casey laughed. “Believe me, it’s even better once you’re riding it.

  Jenna nearly chocked. “I don’t think…” She sucked in a breath. “I’m not sure I could even take that inside me.”

  Casey’s smile faded. “Jenna, it’ll be fine. You’ll get used to it and then I promise, you’ll love it.”

  Casey took Jenna’s hand and placed it on Darrick’s cock. Jenna’s fingers automatically curled around the thick shaft. Just as she’d anticipated, her fingers didn’t meet around the circumference. Casey guided Jenna’s hand the length of him, then back. Jenna continued the motion, glancing up to see sparks flaring in Darrick’s amber eyes.

  “That feels so good, sweetheart,” he said. “I love you stroking me like that.”

  Jenna loved the desire burning in his eyes because of her. She bent over and pressed her lips to the tip. She kissed it and lapped at the end. When she opened her lips to take him inside, however, she couldn’t force her jaw wide enough. She licked him some more, swirling over the corona, to his moans of appreciation, then tried again, but she couldn’t get him in her mouth.

  She drew her head back, feeling totally inadequate.

  Casey stroked her hair. “Why don’t you let me help?”

  Jenna nodded.

  Casey crouched down in front of Darrick and wrapped both her hands around him. She stroked several times then lifted the head to her mouth. She eased forward, his cockhead widening her lips as it pressed inside her. Impossibly, she swallowed the widest part, then eased down the shaft.

  Jenna stared at the erotic sight. She couldn’t believe she was standing here watching another woman take a man’s cock into her mouth, let alone handle the biggest erection Jenna had ever seen.

  Casey glided about a third of the way down, then back again. Her mouth popped off the end and she smiled at Jenna. She tipped the cock toward her.

  “Now you come and try.”

  “I… don’t think I can do that.”

  “Just trust me.”

  Casey took Jenna’s hand and Jenna let herself be eased toward him again. She crouched down beside Casey.

  “Do what I do,” Casey suggested, then she licked the side of his cockhead, gliding her tongue underneath the ridge.

  Jenna leaned toward the big cock and pressed her tongue against it, then curled it under the ridge and licked. It twitched and delight rocketed through her. She gazed up to see Darrick’s half-lidded eyes filled with need.

  Casey leaned in close to Darrick’s body, pressed her tongue
to the base of his shaft and licked upward. Jenna followed suit. When Casey reached his tip, she wrapped her lips around the side of his hard shaft and glided back down again, her hair brushing Jenna’s cheek as she slid past her face.

  Jenna continued to mirror Casey’s actions. As they ran their mouths and tongues over Darrick’s hard cock, Jenna’s hormones surged to life, overshadowing her feelings of ineptness. She and Casey were in synch now, gliding up Darrick’s length, then reaching the tip together. Their lips brushed briefly, sending waves of need washing through her. For more than the feel of Darrick’s huge member.

  They slid to his base again, but his time when they reached the tip, instead of gliding back down immediately, Jenna purposely brushed her mouth against Casey’s. Casey’s eye widened, then she curled her fingers around Jenna’s neck and drew her closer, deepening the kiss.

  Darrick’s cock pulsed, bobbing against their chins. Jenna laughed and wrapped her hand around it and began stroking as Casey eagerly captured her mouth again.

  Chapter 9

  The softness of Casey’s lips, the sweetness of her tongue as it gently explored Jenna’s mouth aroused Jenna more than she’d thought possible.

  “If you two ladies want to carry on, I’m all too happy to take care of this while I watch.”

  Casey laughed. “Maybe another time, big man.” She took Jenna’s hand and led her to the bed. “Right now, I think you can show Jenna how talented you are with that mouth of yours.”

  Darrick’s lips turned up in a devilish smile. “My pleasure.”

  Casey unhooked Jenna’s bra and Jenna slid the straps from her shoulders and let the garment fall to the ground. Heat washed over her as both Darrick and Casey gazed at her naked breasts with longing. She shed her panties and sat down on the bed.

  Casey unbuttoned her jacket as Darrick crouched in front of Jenna. His hands glided up her back and he leaned his head down and captured one peaked nipple into his mouth. The rippling pleasure was enhanced by the sight of Casey’s full, round breasts as she shrugged off her jacket.